CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – The Corpus Christi IceRays (10-12-1-2) couldn’t get the offense going in a 4-0 loss to the Wichita Falls Wildcats (16-6-2-0) on Sunday afternoon at the American Bank Center.
The game was tight and scoreless in the first period, and neither team could break through until the back half of the second period. Wildcats forward Steven Tillie was found for a quick one-time shot from the left circle at 13:55 on the power play to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later at 15:28, Wildcats forward Jeff Skinner was fed from the same position and snuck a shot passed the waiting netminder to double the lead, 2-0. IceRays netminder Camden Burggrabe was pulled in favor of Tomáš Vomáčka for the remainder of the contest.
Despite their presses forward, the IceRays had trouble stringing possession and chances together through shift, and that paved the way for the Wildcats to spread the lead wider on the man-advantage. At 15:25, Wildcats forward C.J. Walker snuck a shot through the legs of Vomáčka at the right circle to triple the lead, 3-0. The Wildcats then sealed the win at 4-0 with an empty net goal at 17:55 from forward Blake Ripley.
Wildcats goaltender Jared Dempsey (9-1-0) recorded his first shutout in a 32-save effort. Burggrabe (4-3-1) turned away 18 of 20 shots in 35:28 minutes, and Vomáčka stopped 11 of 12 shots in 23:21 minutes. The IceRays begin a four-game road trip on Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the first of two games against the Lone Star Brahmas from the NYTEX Sports Centre in North Richland Hills. Coverage begins at 7:15 p.m. on SportsRadio Corpus Christi (KSIX 1230AM) & Hockey TV.
The IceRays return home to the American Bank Center after the holidays on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 7:05 p.m. to open a two-game week against the Shreveport Mudbugs. Season memberships for the 2016-17 season are still available with full and partial season plans. Reserve yours by contacting the IceRays Front Office at 361-814-PUCK. In addition, stay connected with the IceRays on Facebook (/CorpusChristiIceRays), Twitter (@goicerays), YouTube (IceRays TV), Instagram (CorpusChristiIceRays), Snapchat (@goicerays), and Periscope (@goicerays).